The Coming on of Night Poem Analysis | SuperSummary (2024)

Analysis: “The Coming on of Night”

“The Coming on of Night” is a short poem about growing older and facing death. In this poem, “night” (Line 10) is both literal and a metaphor for the end of a person’s life. The poet uses the communal pronoun “we” (Line 9) to signify that this is a poem about something that happens to all people, not just to the speaker. She uses metaphor, as well as sentence length, to create a sense of the suddenness of the change.

See Also
Nocturne

The first sentence is long and dwells on the “ambition” (Line 1) and “abstract / spark of hunger” (Lines 3-4) that characterize a life. This sentence is long because the subject matter comprises most of a person’s existence. Pursuing “hunger” (Line 4) takes up the majority of one’s living years. It is also a long sentence because the speaker is talking not only about herself but humankind in general. In the second stanza, when she elaborates on other people, noting “even those whose fiery / eccentricities seemed / inextinguishable […]” (Lines 5-7), she is taking time to explain that what she is saying applies to everyone, even those who appear remarkable. There is no vaulting ambition great enough to exempt any human being from the process toward the grave.

The Coming on of Night Poem Analysis | SuperSummary (2024)

FAQs

The Coming on of Night Poem Analysis | SuperSummary? ›

Analysis: “The Coming on of Night”

What is the central idea of the coming of night? ›

The overall theme of Linda Pastan's poem, 'The Coming of Night', is the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death, represented through the symbolic transition from day to night. For instance, the line 'how quickly the day sets' demonstrates the short span of life.

What is the message of the night poem? ›

"Night" speaks about the coming of evil when darkness arrives, as angels protect and keep the sheep from the impending dangers. Songs of Innocence was written by William Blake in 1789 as part of his Illuminated Books.

What is the main theme of the poem night? ›

"Night" by Wole Soyinka is a poignant and powerful poem that explores the theme of darkness and its symbolism in the human experience.

How does the title of the poem contribute to its overall theme "The Coming of Night"? ›

In “The Coming on of Night,” night is the central metaphor for death. By placing this metaphor in the title, Pastan makes it clear that death is not only at the center of the poem but at the center of life. Like death, night is predictable.

What is the main idea of this poem "Meeting at Night"? ›

The main theme of this poem is the urgency and desire for the lover to meet the beloved. Like its sister poem "Parting at Morning" which uses pronominal reference to attribute the gender of the person in the boat (as male), the poem never reveals the identity of the two lovers.

What is the meaning of the poem the coming of Night? ›

“The Coming on of Night” is a short poem about growing older and facing death. In this poem, “night” (Line 10) is both literal and a metaphor for the end of a person's life.

What is the overall message of Night? ›

It is implied throughout the text that silence and passivity are what allowed the Holocaust to continue. Wiesel's writing of Night is itself an attempt to break the silence, to tell loudly and boldly of the atrocities of the Holocaust and, in this way, to try to prevent anything so horrible from ever happening again.

How do you describe the setting of a poem? ›

Answer: The setting of a piece of literature is the time and place in which the story takes place. The definition of setting can also include social statuses, weather, historical period, and details about immediate surroundings.

What comparison does the poet give to explain that he is approaching the Night of William Blake's life? ›

Changing his metaphor, the poet says that he has reached his 'twilight' when night will soon approach and make him 'sleep'. 4. Shifting to another metaphor, the poet says that he has lost his 'glow of fire' and is on the 'ashes' of his youth. Anytime this small glow will die down.

Why is the Night an important part of the poem tonight I can write? ›

The imagery of night creates the poem's mood of sadness and longing for lost love. These lines also introduce Neruda's subversion to time. He opens the poem saying that tonight the speaker is able to write his poem; that he has been unable previously to write these emotions.

What is the main theme in the poem? ›

Theme is the lesson about life or statement about human nature that the poem expresses. To determine theme, start by figuring out the main idea. Then keep looking around the poem for details such as the structure, sounds, word choice, and any poetic devices.

What is the theme of the end of night? ›

The End of Night takes as its theme the rapid disappearance of darkness in our world or, more accurately, the growing encroachment of light.

What are the figures of speech in the poem "Night"? ›

In Night, there are only four figure of speeches namely (a) Simile, (b) Personification, (c) Metaphor and (d) Hyperbole and uses (1) Visual, (2) Auditory, (3) Tactile and (4) Kinesthetic as the imagery.

What is the theme of the coming of night? ›

Linda Pastan's “The Coming on of Night” is a short poem about aging and the speaker's growing awareness of death. Like many of Pastan's pieces, it takes place in a domestic setting, using imagery that is familiar to everyday people, particularly women. It speaks to universal themes of mortality and the passage of time.

How does the speaker in the poem feel about death in the coming of night? ›

Expert-Verified Answer

Final answer: The speaker in the poem exhibits a complex relationship with death, at times romanticizing it as a peaceful escape, while elsewhere viewing it with a sense of dread or philosophical contemplation.

What is the theme of the poem to the night? ›

The poem, 'To Night', expresses Shelley's intense desire for Night, which he has personified. The poem is a wonderful illustration of Shelley's power of marking his own myths. Not only has Night been personified and made to live before us, but Day, Sleep, and Death are also treated in the same manner.

What is the significance of the title Meeting at Night? ›

Explanation: The title of Browning's poem “Meeting at Night” gives a focus on a secret meeting between two passionate lovers. The night meeting indicates a clandestine love. The very title also suggests that a lover has to go through a lot of difficult perils in darkness to meet his beloved or to reach his target.

What literary devices are used in the poem Meeting at Night? ›

"Meeting at Night" makes frequent use of alliteration and consonance. Generally, this is part of an overall strategy to build a sense of atmosphere and anticipation throughout the poem. The first obvious example of alliteration is in line 1.

How does the browning use images and symbols in the poem "Meeting at Night"? ›

Browning uses striking imagery to intensify the descri ption in the poem, and its development mirrors the shifting tones and mood. Fire imagery is employed throughout, the "fiery ringlets", the "blue spurt" and the "lighted match", augmenting the urgency and passion of the narrator in reaching his lover.

What is the central idea of Night summary? ›

The main idea of the novel involves Eliezer pondering God's existence and nature in the face of the untold brutality of the Holocaust.

What is the central idea of light in the Night? ›

Expert-Verified Answer

Light in the night highlights the history of street lights by the author Claire Horsburgh. It is a symbolic story written for comparing the lights in our life when the situation is not in our favour.

What is the central idea of the poem Night Mail? ›

Communication and Connection: "The Night Mail" emphasizes the significance of communication and connection. The mail train serves as a link between people and places, carrying letters that bridge the distances between loved ones.

What is the central idea of the poem Night voices? ›

Answer. Answer: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 'Night Voices' highlights the fear of a boy who is scared as he feels someone is whispering in the night, there is someone who is murmuring in the night. His father tries to pacify him saying that it is the moving wind that whispers and waves on the shore that murmur.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Last Updated:

Views: 6158

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Birthday: 1997-10-17

Address: Suite 835 34136 Adrian Mountains, Floydton, UT 81036

Phone: +3571527672278

Job: Manufacturing Agent

Hobby: Skimboarding, Photography, Roller skating, Knife making, Paintball, Embroidery, Gunsmithing

Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.